Story Behind the Song
Thankfully, I've been getting by lately, but, I remember well when I wasn't. Too many "well-off" people talk as if the poor and homeless could and should, simply, get themselves out of their own predicament. But, those "well-to-do" rarely know how difficult it can be. I've experienced how tough it is to "get on your feet" and get a job when you're on the street with no address, no telephone, no vehicle, no decent clothes, etc., etc. Without help, I might still be there.
I thank The Lighthouse, San Diego (1972) for their help.
Lyrics
"You Don't Know"
You're complainin' 'cause you wanna go_ to the show tonight;
And, you complain that your business' been a little too slow_and your money's too tight;
And, you complain about your HBO;
And, you complain about such trivial stuff.
I'll tell you something, baby, you don't know:
You ain't got it so tough!
Cause, baby, you don't know_ what it's like_ to be poor;
You've always had_ all you need_ at your door;
You only know_ what it's like_ to want more and more and more;
But, baby, you don't know_ what it's like_ to be poor.
You say your life's been a struggle_ that never ends;
It's so hard to pay for your stuff,
While you're drivin' your Mercedes Benz
With gold and diamonds in you cuff;
Past a man_ with a sign and no job,
And, you tell me, you've got problems of your own;
You say, "People like that would just as soon rob you,"
as you reach for your cellular phone.
But, baby, you don't know_ what it's like_ to be poor;
You've always had_ all you need_ at your door;
You only know_ what it's like_ to get more and more and more;
But, baby, you don't know_ what it's like_ to be poor.
Some people just don't get a break;
Some people just don't get a heart;
Some feast in fancy homes, filling up on cake,
While hungry poor push their home around in a shopping cart.
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